The Duke Energy Foundation announced on Mar. 19 that it will provide $500,000 in grants to support local storm preparedness and emergency readiness initiatives across North Carolina.
The funding aims to help communities better prepare for severe weather events, natural disasters, and emergency response challenges. Local nonprofit and government organizations are eligible to apply for grants of up to $25,000 through April 30 via the Duke Energy Foundation’s website.
According to the company, the grants will support community preparedness training, emergency planning, local response collaboration, and public education initiatives designed to help residents prepare for severe weather. Since 2016, Duke Energy and its Foundation have invested $11.4 million in supporting the state’s storm preparedness and recovery efforts.
Kendal Bowman, Duke Energy North Carolina state president, said: “Storm preparedness is really about people – making sure communities have what they need before disaster strikes. By supporting local partners who know their communities best, these grants help close critical gaps in readiness, improve coordination during severe weather and enable communities to recover faster.”
Don Mial, Wake County Board of Commissioners Chair and a 2025 grant recipient, said: “Emergency preparedness starts at the individual level. When all residents have access to the resources that will keep them safe during a crisis or natural disaster, our whole community becomes more resilient. We are incredibly grateful to our partners at the Duke Energy Foundation for supporting this important work by investing in equity and safety in Wake County.”
The Duke Energy Foundation provides more than $30 million annually in philanthropic support funded by Duke Energy shareholders. Duke Energy serves electric customers across six states and owns significant energy capacity while also investing in grid upgrades and cleaner generation sources.
